need help with 2x4 bench / table

[PoorOwner]

I am building a special table it is about 42" high. It's NOT a heavy duty work bench. I want to be able to park my bicycle under the table.. Bicycle take up floor space so i might as well have some shelve space.

Any suggestions, it's basic and I based it on a family handyman shelf diagram which has more reinforcements

I can't really add any bracing because it will just get in the way. Maybe on the wall side although I am not sure what good that will do... maybe suggestion on a bit better appearance. I may be buying a wood top from ikea, they make good light duty wood tops.

The legs will be carpeted with some car audio carpeting I have around, do you guys know how to attach these carpeting to the wood, is it by staple gun or glue?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Bracing will make quite a difference in its structural stiffness. If I understand correctly you'll be putting the bike in from the front, so you can still brace the back and the two sides without any interference.

 

[PoorOwner]

Probably rolling it in from the side. The right end will be close to the front wall of the garage, can add a cross brace there also.

But cross brace on the left side might interfere with the wheel.

 

[marty_p]

For the most rigidity, use a Simpson Strongtie Workbench/Shelving 8-pc. corner bracing kit and adapt it to your need/dimensions.

It's galvanized, paintable metal, it comes complete with plenty of panhead wood screws, and you can find it for $25-$30 at the big box home centers in their construction connector section.

 

[PoorOwner]

I prefer look a bit better. such as I am routing the edges of the 2x4 and receive some paint that matches the garage. Clean legs, butcher block top.

strong tie doesn't really look too nice when painted. Love to use them tho otherwise.

 

[MrC1953]

I know you want a table but the best way to park a bike is to hang it from the ceiling on 2 large j hooks that catch on the rims.

As for the table can you attach it to the wall? if so some triangle brackets can be made very strong and attached to a wooden cleat mounted on as many studs as possible. you would not need any front legs on your table to get in the way of your bike.

Godspeed
MrC.

 

[Automatic Slim]

Agree w/ Mr C-53,

Just make depth of shelf in a box and secure to wall studs. Secure another 2x4 perpendicular on wall (measure down shelf depth) and secure. Cut two 45 degree angle braces out of 2x4, secure inside shelf assembly and above bottom 2x4 ledger for strength. Notch edge of bottom brace so flush w/ 2x4 ledger and secure by toeing in w/ screws.

Deck w/ material of choice.


This way the legs going to floor won't be so cumbersome and unless you are storing your bowling ball collection on this shelf, should be more than fine for some bicycle stuff and more.

 

[PoorOwner]

So like this?

 

[Automatic Slim]

Yup, or reverse angle brackets upward (towards ceiling) to remove any obstacle and will add some side contaiment for shelf (books, whatnots..).


I think they make laundry room tables that fold up and out for similar purpose that are pretty sturdy, so a prefab w/ 2 min insstall for maybe even less dough - who knows.


How about a foldable diaper changing station? LOL (now I'm just getting silly)

 

[transplant_wi]

Have you considered a fold-down table? I scrounged a busted but otherwise nice laminated conference table from work and attached it to the garage wall with a couple of heavy-duty t-strap hinges. Chains on each end attached to eye-bolts into the wall studs support it in the 'deployed' position. A barrel bolt into the top/front edge keeps it stowed and out of the way when not in use. Sorry, no pics at present, but it works very nicely.

 

[PoorOwner]

If I am building a wall mounted shelf, I went looking in metal alternatives has anyone used these speed brace.

http://www.fastcap.com/estore/pc/speed-brace-4p2457.htm?atc=1&idproduct=9985

The rest of my garage won't have 2x4 furnitures so I am willing to spend a bit more for a cleaner look.

 

[Automatic Slim]

Speed brace looks sweet, will have to remember, as regular bracing is chumpish. Just by looking at those, I'm a fan!! Nice find, love some good hardware.

 

[PoorOwner]

This guy going nuts with it in his shop, they look massive

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LKwdhl68meQ?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[rmsg0040]

^^ looks like he's got some nice festool tools

 

[TheClaw]

I park my "bikes" under some shelving shown below. For a long time I didn't have a 2x4 going all the way up. I just put those there to add strength for the chin up bar. Still, it's a good way to have some serious storage over my motorcyles. I used lag bolts to attach a 2x4 to the ceiling and hung the supports DOWN instead of using legs going UP.




<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/stufffromthekilinskis/8721219479/" title="Untitled by theclaw900, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7420/8721219479_524bcf36b8.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="Untitled"></a>